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One of the most commonly asked questions about bollards is what their purpose is and what they are. A bollard is defined as a short vertical post, originally meant to be used on a ship, but nowadays used to direct or control road traffic. This includes using them to obstruct the passage of motor vehicles, such as outside of store fronts, to separate paved walkways from paved motorways, to block off public parks, etc. Bollards are typically made out of steel, but can sometimes be made out of concrete or other strong materials. They come in a variety of styles and sizes, perfect for accommodating a large number of applications. For example, there are collapsible bollards, removable bollards, parking bollards, locking and non-locking types, fixed/permanent bollards, and more. Depending on where someone wants to protect and for how long, different styles may be chosen for the job. Bollards are constructed to provide great strength, as many of them are used to prevent vehicles from passing—if a car hits a bollard, the damage is significant. There are plenty of videos that show the damage a bollard can do to cars and other vehicles, including semi-trucks.

Bollards come in a variety of sizes, in order to accommodate being used in different areas and for different purposes. Heights for bollards typically range from 30″ to 48″ tall, with the average height of them being 36″ or three feet tall. Since most vehicles are about 5 feet tall, the height of bollards is effective at stopping them from passing through into restricted areas, and if someone does attempt to bypass a bollard, they will cause significant damage to their vehicle. The width of bollards is what generally makes them stronger, though, not the height. The wider a bollard, the more weight it can withstand. The reason they are not smaller is because at 36″ (or about that tall), they are an effective visual deterrent before ever having to be a physical deterrent. Interestingly enough, the part you see is not always all there is to the bollard—permanent, embedded bollards are installed underneath the surface of the ground, similar to an iceberg. This installation method makes them even stronger.

Bollards are used for many different applications, but parking bollards are typically found in parking lots. They are installed to control traffic overspill and to establish boundaries between parking areas and places where there is foot traffic. For example, they are often used in front of stores to prevent vehicles from going over the curb and hitting pedestrians or the storefront itself. They also signify to pedestrians that should they cross the threshold of the bollards, they will be entering an area that is occupied by vehicles. Parking bollards are typically about three feet high and are available in several different styles—they can be permanent or temporary/removable, embedded in the ground or surface-mounted, and are available in different materials, colors, and sizes. Fixed bollards are constructed to resist vehicle collisions, which is helpful if, for example, a driver loses control of their vehicle or accidentally hits the gas pedal instead of the brake pedal. In this instance, parking bollards can help protect the safety of people passing by.

Installing bollards is a relatively simple job. Proper installation ensures that the bollards will work effectively and reach their full potential to protect property and control traffic. First, you’ll want to mark the installation positions on the ground. Next, you’ll drill through the surface using an auger to drill holes. The hole will be wider than the bollard itself, as there will need to be rebar reinforcement and filler surrounding the bollard. You’ll then prepare the rebar cage to fit the size of the bollard. Next, position the rebar cage within the hole you drilled, then you’ll fill the hole with concrete and the bollard—depending on what sort of bollard you are installing, the individual installation steps will be different, so it is important to get specific directions for your specified bollards. The supplier you purchase bollards from will be able to instruct you on how to properly install the bollard for optimal effectiveness, or you can hire a contractor to do the job.

You’re likely familiar with sturdy-looking, metal or concrete posts that have been installed in parking lots, near storefronts, in parks, and other places. They’re called bollards, and they seem to serve a use, but what are they meant for? Bollards are short, post-like fixtures that are mainly used for controlling traffic and providing security for buildings and public areas. For instance, they are installed to stop vehicles from passing through. They’re generally spaced widely enough for pedestrians and bicycles to pass through, but cars will be significantly damaged if they try to drive past or through one. Bollards are available in many different sizes and styles, including removable or fixed versions, as well as collapsible and temporary models. The type chosen depends on the end goal of the bollard. For instance, if they are being used to protect a garage door from large trucks, taller and thicker ones may be installed, whereas if they’re meant to separate a parking lot from a paved pathway, smaller or thinner ones can be used.

When you’re shopping for bollards and are comparing prices, you’ll notice that the costs vary from company to company, and from model to model. Depending on the type you need, the price will fluctuate. Because contractors generally do not buy just one bollard, suppliers will typically come up with a list based on a project instead of a cost per product—this is because bollard jobs include things like delivery/freight costs and other expenses, and are sometimes custom produced, so it’s easier for a company to work with individual buyers on the cost rather than list a straightforward price. Additionally, with new models, costs may or may not fluctuate, and factors like supply and demand also influence pricing structures. If you have questions about how much it would cost to implement a job that requires bollards, contact Traffic Guard for more information. We’re happy to help discuss and plan your project.

Removable bollards are made from the same heavy-duty materials that fixed and collapsible bollards are made of, so they’re just as effective at preventing cars and other vehicles from passing through, but they are, as you may have imagined, removable. They are available in locking and non-locking versions, with locking systems ensuring even more security. Locking versions from Traffic Guard are available with a variety of internal or external locking mechanisms, allowing you to fully customize your level of security. Removable bollards give you the option to use parking and traffic control systems temporarily, and are ideal for low-impact applications or parking space protection. Depending on the amount of protection from traffic that a space needs, there may be a removable bollard option perfect for your needs. Some of the removable bollards weigh as little as 10 pounds, but locking bollards are a bit heavier, clocking in between 30 and 70 pounds. One thing is the same across the board for removable bollards, and that is that they are simple and easy to install.

If you’ve ever enjoyed a local park’s paved bike trails or running areas, you know the exact reason why bollards are important. The same can be said for shopping at an outdoor mall where the parking area is just steps off of the sidewalk. Bollards are effective at protecting areas and people, which is why they’re so common in public spaces. They are also good for industrial settings where potentially dangerous machinery is used, as their bright coloring makes them hard to miss—employees will notice the bollards and stay safe. Because there are so many different options for what kind of bollards to install, they’re ideal for many different uses, no matter if you’re trying to permanently secure a storefront against vehicles, protect a park against unwelcome vehicles, or barricade off a parking area, for example, at a state fair. In short, bollards are meant to keep people safe and structures protected—and that’s why they’re necessary.

One of the benefits of choosing removable bollards is that you have the option of removing them when they are unnecessary. For instance, if you need to block off a garage at a factory for standard vehicles but need the space cleared for a large delivery truck, removable bollards are a perfect solution. As for how to remove bollards? That’s simple. With locking bollards, you simply unlock the mechanism and remove the bollard post. Since a portion of the bollard post is installed underground, the above-ground part of the bollard is what is removed, while the underground parts stay in place. As for non-locking bollards, the process is even simpler. Whether you’re dealing with drop-in or twist-in bollards, simply lift out or twist the post and lift it out. It’s that easy! When you want the bollard back where it was, simple drop it in, twist it in, or place the post back in and lock it back into place. Removable bollards are meant to be convenient, and that’s just what they are.